Graduation Semester and Year

2012

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Rebecca L Hegar

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to use the case study approach to determine how coordination is achieved in the Program for Human Development: Oportunidades (Opportunities). Oportunidades is the largest anti-poverty program in Mexico. The program has its origins in the Program for Education, Health and Nutrition (Programa de Educación, Salud y Alimentación, PROGRESA) implemented in 1997 under the administration of former President Ernesto Zedillo. In 2002 the new elected government change its name to Oportunidades without any substantial changes in its operation. The Program began in 1997 serving 300 thousand families; today 5 million people are enrolled. This means that one of every four Mexicans receives Oportunidades. Ten interviews were conducted with key informants and documents of the Board and Technical Committee minutes from 1997-2006 were analysed using the constant comparative method. The results show that coordination mechanisms can be classified into the following macro-mechanisms: hierarchy, networks and markets. The Progresa-Oportunidades Program achieves coordination, at the federal level, with instruments of these three macro mechanisms, although the institutional setting of the program is predominantly hierarchical.

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences | Social Work

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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